Automobile-light-dimmer switch



July 24, 1923. v v 1,462,791

A, D. GASTON AUTOMOBILE LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH Filed April 30. 1925 Ellg.

Patented July T24, 1923.`

UNITED STATES ALPHEUS D. GASTGN, OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.

AUTOMOBILE-LIGHT-DIMMER SWITCH.l

Application filed` April 30, 1923. Serial No. 635,645.

' To all whom t may concern.'

useful Improvements in Automobile-Light- Dimmer Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to head lights, spot lights and the like for automobiles, .and refers to a device whereby with maintained pressure upon a button switch said lights may be dimmed for as long a period of time as the button is maintained depressed.

The object of the invent-ion 1s to provide a switch that may be easily accessible to the driver of the automobile without the necessity of reaching to the switchboard on the dash, thereby taking his attention -even momentarily from the driving of the car.

Another object is to provide a switch whereby upon release of button the lights will immediately resume their original brightness.

.Further objects and features of the invention will be set forth in the following detailed description, taken in connection with the drawings attached hereto, as follows:

Figure 1, .is a side elevation of the in! tact post 4, to which wire 2 is connected,

holds a copper Contact arm of strip form 5 in such a position that same contacts with Contact finger 10. as shown in Figure 3, unless the contact button 11 is depressed, at which time the current passing through the strip enters post 6, and thence through the resistance coil 7, thereby cutting down the current and dimming the lights.

-A finger engaging knob or button 8, shown in detail in Figure 2 having a post or stem 8" lis movable to and fro in a slot a formed in the housing. A contact 8* is carried by the ost or stem of the button, and contacts wit coil 7, while the lower end of the post or stem contacts with the strip 5, by which aforesaid' movement the reslstance may be increased or diminished, as des1redas the othereXtremity of coil 7 is connected to post 9, which in turn, is connected to the other wire 3, thus completing the circuit. 9a represents a nut on the contact post 9, which, when tightened, holds contactl finger 10 securely.

Sprlng 12, engaging against shoulder 11", on post 11, prevents same from contacting with strip 5, except when the post 11 is depressed or held down. The coil 7 is of U- shape, the contact strip 5 being disposed between the sides or legs of the coil with the pbject 1n view of providing a compact strucure.

It will readily be seen that the shape of the housing and the arrangement of the elements in the housing may vary, as may also the method or means of fastening the device at a point convenient of access on the steering wheel or other portion of an automobile. For driving in trafiic or on bad roads or 1n any sltuation where great attention must be glven to steering or guiding, this invention affords a means for dimming t-he lights for as long a period as desired, without removlng th'e hands from the steering wheel at any time to turn a switch.

From the features as set forth, and theY preceding description, what is claimed is:

1 In an automobile headlight dimmer, a casing, a pair of spaced contact posts in the casing, a movable contact arm secured at one end to one post, a contact finger connected to the ot er post for engagement with the opposite end of the contact arm, a substantially U-shaped resistance coil in the casing and disposed to have its sides extend on 'opposite sides of said contact arm, a finger engaging knob havingl a stem slidable in the casing, a. contact carried by the stem and wipingly engaged with a side of the resistance coil, the inner end of the stem being slidably engaged with the contact arm, a contact post electrically connected to one end of the resistance coil and .engageable with the contact arm, and means to operate the contact arm into engagement with the last named contact ost, the opposite end of the resistance coil) being electrically connected to the contact post having said contact finger connected thereto.

2. In an automobile headlight dimmer, a casing, a pair of spaced contact posts in the casing, a movablevcontact arm secured at one end to one post, a contact finger connected to the other post for engagement with the opposite end of the contact arm, a resistance coil electrically connected at one end to one conta-ct post, a contact electrically connected to the other end of the resistance coil and disposed to be engaged by the contact arm upon movement of the arm, means to operate the arm, and a slidable linger engaging member carried by the casing and having a stem provided with a Contact Wipingly engaged with the resistance coil and having the inner end of the stem Wipingly engaged with the contact arm.

3. In an automobile headlight dimmer, a casing,V a pair of spaced contact posts in the casing, a movable Contact arm Secured at one end to one post, a contact finger connected to the other post for engagement with the opposite end of the contact arm, a resistance coil electrically connected at one end to one contact post, a contact electrically connected to the other end of the resistance coil and disposed to be engaged by the contact arm upon movement of the arm, means to operate the arm, and manually operable and slidable means carried by the casing and having wiping engagement with the contactl arm and with the coil to effect regulation of the amount of the reslstance.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

.ALPI-EUS D. GASTONo 

